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Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > October > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia’s O-line is seldom O-utstanding
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two things Mark Richt hasn’t yet done as Georgia’s coach: Play for the national championship (although he came close in 2002 and last season) and build a series of formidable offensive lines. Up front the Bulldogs always seem to be reaching and retooling, which is going to happen some years. But every year?
The best line Richt has had was in the aforementioned 2002, and those seniors were Jim Donnan’s recruits. Two linemen - Jon Stinchcomb and George Foster - were taken in the 2003 NFL draft. Only three Bulldog O-liners have gone in the five drafts since: Max Jean-Gilles in 2006, Ken Shackleford in 2007 and Chester Adams this year. For a program that recruits at such a consistently exalted level, that’s a failure.
Richt points out that, due to the coaching changeover and the resultant recruiting gap, the 2002 line departed without understudies at the ready. And many of the new guys - Jean-Gilles, Nick Jones and Daniel Inman - wound up manning the not-bad line that helped win the 2005 SEC title. But the 2006 line was comprised of upperclassmen and wasn’t very good, and last season the Bulldogs went with three freshmen.
Two of those - Clint Boling and Chris Davis - are starters still, and the other, left tackle Trinton Sturdivant, would have been but was lost to injury. Again Georgia is scrambling, moving guys hither and yon. Chris Davis, who was projected as the starting center, is back at guard. Kiante Tripp, listed as the No. 1 right tackle in preseason, is now a backup tight end.
Perhaps it’s unfair to criticize overmuch, what with Sturdivant’s absence, but a program this good at all other positions shouldn’t be underwhelming along the line of scrimmage year after year. But when last did we see a Georgia line block the way Alabama’s did two weeks ago? When last did the Bulldogs simply push a worthy opponent backward? (The 2007 Florida game might qualify, although Gator fans will insist their defense was too young to bear up.)
Both line coaches under Richt - first Neil Callaway, now Stacy Searels - are regarded highly in the fraternity, but it’s intriguing that Georgia’s O-line isn’t held to the demanding standards that seem to apply to Willie Martinez and his defense. There’s no reason the Bulldogs shouldn’t be able to find and develop offensive linemen the way they’ve found and developed quarterbacks and defensive tackles. No reason at all.
Permalink | Comments (100) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA/SEC
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By JB
October 9, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
Way too many wide receivers on the team……
By RICK
October 9, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Mark, I agree that Richt and his staff have been slow to develope the types of O-lines that is takes to run and protect in the SEC. However, the program has had a bad run of injuries in the past few years, in fact an alarming rate of attrition.
But I think that the UGA staff has crossed the threshold of SEC competive O-line recruits. UGA will be set for the next 2-3 years with the current recruits and if they continue to recruit well, you may see an occasional down year but not consistently.
By RICK
October 9, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Stacy Searels is one of the best O-line coaches in the college game.
Last year was a great example of his ability as a coach to take all of those freshmen and produce an o-line good enough to win 11 games.
By FLA DAWG
October 9, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
Mark,
The loss of Sturdivant - one of the best players in the country at his position was a major impact but in my opinion, the loss of the best blocking back in college football, Southerland was even greater. Combined, these injured players made the difference.
Moreno would be the first guy to tell you that he wouldn’t have been nearly as productive last season without Southerland.
By Jim
October 9, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
I think it is difficult for most college teams to develop a strong O-line. We’re talking about a very rare kind of athlete. These guys do not grow on trees and are hard to find. Not only that, but the position is prone to injury. Its just a tough row to hoe putting a unit together and keeping it that way for any extended period of time.
By GW
October 9, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
I see few college lines blowing anybody away without holding. Did you watch Alabama vs. Kentucky? Defenses are fast, versatile, and move all over the place. Offenses are so multiple that they seldom develop a true identity of just road grading people. OLines now play high and with their arms extended. It is all in the footwork. Oregon State vs. USC is the only OLine performance I’ve seen that was old school.
By lakerat
October 9, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Neil Callaway, for all his alleged high regard in the coaching fraternity, is not a very good coach. He may have gotten the head job at UAB but he has not done well there, just as he did not do well at UGA - he made hay while working for Pat Dye and has lived off that ever since. Nobody seems to demand excellence and that is the problem.
Stacy is an excellent coach - as proven last year with the baby line with whom he had to work - this year is a downer because of the injuries.
I know this does not answer the question as to why UGA does not produce top quality linemen with which to work - I guess CMR spends all his time and resources trying to recruit all world backs, QB’s and receivers - but, as we all know, without somebody blocking (see AL) it does not matter how good the QB, running backs or receivers are, if the big guys do not get the job done then nobody looks good. A great line can make an average running back look good, but the greast backs cannot make the line look good unless he gets some running room.
The same goes for the D Line - they can make a secondary look good, but the secondary gets shellshocked if there is no pass rush, and the linebackers cannot make plays if the DL gets no penetration at the snap of the ball!
Football really is a simple game - you only need the right pieces to make it work - and for some reason, the Dawgs just cannot get the right pieces together at the same time!
By Big ED
October 9, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Alabama found Georgia’s weak link and exploited to the maximum degree. All of the big talk about an undefeated season and national championship are history now. UGA needs to get ready for three or four teams that will learn from Alabama. All the pre-season hype has made Georgia a major target for the rest of the SEC. I lived in Birmingham for five years and have many Alabama friends. The hype and resulting blow out by Alabama now has them referring to the Bulldogs as the Sissy Dawgs. If Richt doesn’t do something quick the Sissy Dawgs title might stick for 2008.
By AltamahaDawg
October 9, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
FINALLY! Somebody besides myself that believes that the score of a football game is actually determined by more than a cover-2 defense!
It does seem that UGA has the makings of stability going forward. I don’t know the staus of guys like Little, Owens, and even Havercamp, but it seems like we should have some depth developing, as well as a few new recruits. Not much you can do about the youth on the starting line up right now, except what they seem to do every year, miracle grow in the cooler. But at some point, could we maybe get these classes spread out a bit?
By Pago Flyer
October 9, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Because the DAWGS are always in the Top Ten recruiting classes every year…but nothing happens!
By O-Line
October 9, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
I do not usually post (thus the stupid username), but I have to comment on this. I noticed it 2 years ago. The problem comes from the 2005 signing class (current seniors) which had zero O lineman. The 2006 class had only a few and I do not believe any of them are on this team. That is 2 HUGE misses.
O lineman are rarely graded at more that 3 stars, so schools that get caught up in recruiting rankings start signing too many WR’s, RB’s and skill players and not enough O-line. This is the #1 reason why recruiting rankings are irrelevant. This same problem is what has hurt USC recently and is currently hurting Fla.
UGA seems to have caught on. Now we are signing 2-4 guys per year.
By Native Atlantan
October 9, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
We are in OL Coach Stacy Searals second season at UGA. How many of Neil Calloway recruited OL are starting this weekend?
By Drew
October 9, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
It all starts with the offensive and defensive lines. It’s common football knowledge.
If your line and open up holes and stay on assignments, your running game prospers. If you’re running the ball down the opponents throats, they put more men in the box to stop the bleeding, opening up your passing game.
Nick Saban has it right at Alabama even though I loathe the guy.
Same goes with our D-Line. Our D-line doesn’t compare in the least with last years D-Line.
By Cody
October 9, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
I too, think our offensive line is suspect, I’m just not so sure about this season… realalistly, I’m afraid LSU,UF and Aurburn defensive lines will eat us up and close down running lanes for Moreno.
By Mark Bradley
October 9, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
I’m not embarrassed to say that discussions on these blogs prompted this topic. It was after the Alabama game and your ensuing comments that I got to thinking, “Why does Georgia always seem to be rebuilding up front?” So I started looking stuff up, and I was frankly surprised to note that only two Georgia O-linemen have been drafted — and neither very highly — over the past five years.
By Jeff Patton
October 9, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Good Point Mark. Maybe Richt should go after some more Junior College players that can contribute quickly!
By 1eyedJack
October 9, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
To win you’ve got to run the football and stop the run. To do that you need big bodies. I notice a recruiting philosophy at Georgia not to necessarily recruit 4 and 5 star players based on their size in high school(6’7” 350). If you look at the recruiting classes at Georgia you can see a theme. They seem to prefer to recruit high school kids whose physical attributes fit a mold (OTs and DTs at 6’5” 270 and DEs at 6’4” 240 with speed). They then take those athletes and put them in the weight room and on a nutrition plan to get them to where they want them. Some pan out and some don’t.
By Red Clay Hound
October 9, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
I agree and have been saying it for years. Injuries, attrition, and disciplinary casualties have made this a big area of concern in my opinion.
Alt. Haverkamp quit the team.
By NC dawg
October 9, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Big Ed, get over yourself. I didn’t hear anybody talking about an undefeated season. Yes, bama played well, but we helped them. See you in the ATL and yes the national championship is still attainable. Beat us one year and now we are the Sissy Dawgs? that is the dumbest thing I have heard, you hanging out with 5 year olds?
The simple answer is injuries. We have been hit pretty hard in that area, we are young and it will benefit us in years to come.
By DC
October 9, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
We need to quit recruiting lineman in the SE and go to the midwest. The best lines in football are typically Ohio State and Okla. They get them in the midwest area, big ol county boys.
By GT_CLASS OF '93
October 9, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
Obvious Answer To a Stupid Question: Because they’re NOT AN ELITE PROGRAM. Never have been. Never will be.
By GT_CLASS OF '93
October 9, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Obvious Answer To a Stupid Question: Because they’re NOT AN ELITE PROGRAM. Never have been. Never will be.
By GT_CLASS OF '93
October 9, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
Obvious Answer To a Stupid Question: Because they’re NOT AN ELITE PROGRAM. Never have been. Never will be.
By GT_CLASS OF '93
October 9, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Obvious Answer To a Stupid Question: Because they’re NOT AN ELITE PROGRAM. Never have been. Never will be.
By 78 DAWG
October 9, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Mark, This Unit blew the mighty Crimson Tide out in the second half and has pushed around everyone they’ve played. and this is without Sturdivant who I hear will be one of the top 3 picks in the nfl draft when he graduates. Write about Kentucky baseketball.
By scdawgfan
October 9, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
AMEN!!!!!!! I couldn’t have said it better myself! Of course as others have mentioned there have been those who quit or got hurt. However, don’t you have to take that into account when your recruiting too? I think we have the est OL coach in the country now. So let’s get some big boys in here like bama has and blow people up. Enough with these 260- 280 pound lineman, give me the big boys!
By Jeff Patton
October 9, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
gt class of 93…Push the button ONCE and wait 5 minutes! Hey this is also a GEORGIA BULLDOG BLOG! See ya for number 8 in November! TUCK FECK!
By scdawgfan
October 9, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
AMEN!!!!!!! I couldn’t have said it better myself! Of course as others have mentioned there have been those who quit or got hurt. However, don’t you have to take that into account when your recruiting too? I think we have the best OL coach in the country now. So let’s get some big boys in here like bama has and blow people up. Enough with these 260- 280 pound lineman, give me the big boys!
By Mark Bradley
October 9, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Blew out the Tide in the second half? Is that really what happened? And Georgia accomplished that by running the ball, did it? I must have seen a different game.
By roswell dad
October 9, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
If UGA is not an elite program and we have whipped the bees badly the past 7 years, where does that put the GT program? I know, Paul the Saviour has arrived, but a couple of losses and the Techsters will be running him down also just as they turned on former DC Tenuta, who many at Tech would have liked as the new head coach . Good luck with the bulldogs this week…Don’t get them and Jax State confused with the real Bulldogs….
By Gdawg
October 9, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Mark, great article. I have always been a proponent of building the O and D lines via good recruiting, and it seems as though we did miss out in 2 consecutive years of filling our needs, as O-Line pointed out in a previous blog. Couple poor recruiting in these areas with bad luck (injuries and suspensions)and we have ourselves a weak O and D line. I guess I am more disappointed with our D-line’s inability to get pressure, especially since much focus from a recruiting standpoint has went toward D-linemen. However, we will never win a NC and we will struggle to win another SEC title unless CMR and his coaching staff starts allowing for attrition in both of these areas, because championships are won in the trenches.
By PTC DAWG
October 9, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Assuming the article’s premise is right, and UGA’s line is not up to par. From what I’ve seen on the field of play, our rivals better hope we don’t get up to par anytime soon. This not up to par team finished 2nd in the Nation last year, and has been in/around the top 10 since Richt’s 2nd year in Athens. Throw in 3 SEC East Titles and 2 SEC Titles, and man, I can see why the rivals spew venom on here about UGA.
From a LONG time UGA fan, I’ll take it. But as the article says, and Richt has admitted, it can be better on the OL.
By W Dog
October 9, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
I’m going to have to agree with JB and the first post. There was a recent article regarding how many WR’s had played and caught passes this year and how may rotate in and out. It seems we have more WR’s than O-Lineman on the team yet, there are 5 OL positions and only 2-3 WR’s. I made this same comment back when I read the article on the WR’s. Are my numbers accurate? Any comments Mark?
By Kendawg
October 9, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
IMO, Stacy Searels is an excellent O-line coach. This is only his second season at UGA. Injuries have taken a toll on Prior years’ recruiting classes, and injuries are also taking a toll on the current players, notably Sturdivant. I predict that given a couple more years, there won’t be any gnashing of teeth about the O-line. Inexplicably, there were a couple of years when we hardly recruited any O-linemen. It appears that this has improved, as we are now recruiting 2-4 each year. Starting next year, this doesn’t appear to be a long term problem. Perhaps in the future, we will have more O-linemen drafted by the pros.
By Dogbyte
October 9, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
“GT Class of ‘93” should take some post-graduate work so “he” could learn to post on a blog.
By Brad
October 9, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
I hate responding to blogs, I really do. But ED, worrying about what bammers say/think is pretty pubescent. They had other things besides sissies on their minds last year after losing to UGA, AUB (what is it, seven, now?) and the beasts from LA-Monroe. Lose to LSU or someone else this year and they’ll have someone else to blame and howl at. If they win it all (god help us), then they deserve it.
As a UGA fan/alum, my concerns lie with the NEXT game, not the previous, which includes an angry Vols team, scrappy Vandy, always tough LSU and UF, dangerous UK, AUB, and GT. The Dawgs have plenty of time to “man up”. For those history buffs, check out the last half of 2007. Didn’t turn out too bad for a bunch of Dawgs most guessed wouldn’t make .500 after barely beating Vandy. He ain’t perfect, but I wouldn’t trade richt and his staff for anyone else out there, period.
By Joel in ATL
October 9, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
Native Atlantan…. YOu tookt he words out of my mouth. Buck Belue went off abou t** last season and did it again tis season. NEIL CALLOWAY was the promblem. Wehn he saw the out to UAB he took it becasue he knew what was going to happen. Say waht you want but Searls is the key, gotta keep him in his Bogart, GA house for plenty of years to come and then we want be talking about O Line issues again soon.
By Bill in ATL
October 9, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
The story I hear, and I have EVERY reason to believe it, is that Calloway was an A$$ and had no shot at landing the best talent on the OL. NO ONE WANTED TO PLAY FOR HIM. On top of that he wasn’t a great coach, as evidenced by his recent body of work.
Searels on the other hand is a great guy, great recruiter and great OL coach. We are paying the price for Callaway today, but I have very little concern going forward.
The main problems this year are that a guy who will play for many years on Sundays is out for the year at left tackle (the most important spot on the line) and the best FB we’ve had since Mack Strong has not played a down at FB. Add that to the fact that we are still only in year 2 of Searels tenure where he started with a nearly bare cupboard. We are loaded at OL, but young and banged up at the moment.
By steve
October 9, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
Here’s a stupid questions. Then where does tech rank among the elite???? They can’t compete with the DAWGS. They get beat almost every year. I’M glad we are not in that elite group!!!!!!
By Dogbyte
October 9, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
OL is one of the most difficult positions to play because they must play as a unit, not individuals. That also makes it one of the most difficult positions to coach. Searels is an excellent coach who is working with what he has. He’ll do it. Be patient. BTW, Ben Jones will be a 1st rounder.
By Captain
October 9, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
Another Mark Bradley opinion piece without the benefit of research. Mark, had you done a little research before rushing to slam the Georgia program, AGAIN, you would have learned some of the ‘facts’ behind the current situation. We all hate homework, but there is a reason it should be done. Eight, that’s 8,offensive lineman signed over the last several years saw their careers come to and end with various injuries, such as shoulder and knee, and one with a health issue related to diabetes. That is an entire starting OL and reserves. I would be interested in knowing if any other major program has ever had such a rash of injuries and illness to its offensive line. Add in a transfer and dismissal, and one who decided he didn’t have the desire to play any longer and you arrive at where the program has been, and is.
The loss of Trinton was huge, he became a dominant Tackle last season. Going into this season we appeared to be set with Trinton at LT, Boling and Vance at G Davis at C and Tripp at RT. Injuries started early and often, resulting in shuffling. Look for stability now with injuries healed and this line will improve.
Hopefully, Mark, you have taken note that there is but one junior and no seniors on the roster along the OL. What that should mean, when combined with the addition of at least three, and likely four, highly regarded incoming freshmen, is a stockpile of talent with which one of the college game’s premier Offensive Lines coaches, Stacey Searels, can work and mold into a dominant unit.
The issues with the Georgia offensive line are certainly not the chaos Mark Bradley wishes to suggest, they are a result of unforseen injuries, health concerns, and attrition.
By dawgthabootyhunter
October 9, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
I asked myself the same question. Why do we? The O-line is one of the most important features of a football team.
Also, an issue just as important, is our defensive coordinator. I have said this since he has taken over. Our defenses play softer coverages and not as aggressive. He does not blitz, thus if your D-line is weak you don’t get the pressure on the QB. I think we have had just enough talent on our D to hang with weaker teams without getting beat (ex: South Carolina), but they were still passing at will on our secondary without an adjustment from coach Martinez. If you guys watched the Bama game , he didn’t adjust there either after they were thrashing us. If we didn’t have Marcus howard last year at DE bringing major heat every play our secondary would have gotten killed. Thats the only reason we had a pretty good D last year. Notice, no pressure on QB =secondary picked apart. I don’t think C Martinez is our guy. With the abundant talent in this state we should be at the pinnacle, instead of slighlty below.
By funny dogs
October 9, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
Wait a minute! All you could read from doggie fans during recruiting season was that dogs only sign 5 star prospects and that saint Richt can sign any player he goes after. Since dogs have crummy O-Line, how can this be? Before the season you were saying “dogs are 3 deep at every position with 5 star players”. And now, you have a fat tackle playing tight end? How could saint Richt make all of these mistakes? Oh, and for the blogger who said “dogs blew out Bama line in the second half”, that is one of the dumbest comments I ever heard. I am no bama fan, but what I saw was bama just relaxing and taking it easy in the 3rd quarter. They could have scored 60 if they wanted to.
By roswell dad
October 9, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Don’t rate Neal Callaway as a poor coach because of UAB. A combination of Bear Bryant, Vince Lombardi, Joe Paterno, and Bobby Bowden on the same staff couldn’t win at UAB right now. Coach Callaway is a friend to all high school coaches and has spent countless hours talking football and helping high school coaches. I have known him for over 25 years and never known him to be anything but a gentleman and a heck of a coach. Old School, played for the Bear, knows what it takes to win. He coached Searles at Auburn, ask Coach Searles can Neil Callaway coach. Always some idiot trying to place blame on someone personally when he has a problem with the way things have gone lately. I love the Dawgs, but they don’t have to win every week just so I have bragging rights around my friends who are from different universities. Man up and quit b***….
By man up
October 9, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
I agree with most of the comments on here and do agree with Mark. Sturdivant is the first lineman i’ve seen at GA(in my opinion) in years that just staight out blew people off the ball and got nasty with them. I will say the freshman center held his own against the small mountain from Alabama. But it seems our lineman are more finesse(clemson) rather than just manning up and getting nasty. You look at some of the other o-lines in the conference (alabama, lsu, carolina) and they just look nasty walking up to the line, for some reason we lack that fire.
By BJohnDawg
October 9, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
I remember Mark Richt a couple of years back mentioning they had not done a good job recruiting in the trenches and it has hurt them.
Maybe they should take the Alabama route and do more junior college recruiting.and forget that we want to have players start “the georgia way”. The georgia way is the same as the FSU way and others. Silly excuse.
I would like to see the OL of the Tennessee years a couple back where their OL for several years blew defenses off the ball, forced defensive coaches to put 8 in the box. Then Tenn would let Payton and others throw it to one on one match ups.
Those crushing Offensive lines were the difference. They gave Tenn the ability to produce the offense matchups they were looking for.
Hate to ever give Tenn credit…but hey sometimes the truth hurts.
Go Dawgs!
By football fan
October 9, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
Somehow the local Trade School always manages a great front five. Recruiting isn’t all about 40 times and minimum SAT scores.
By mtndawg
October 9, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
It’s important to remember that recruits, particularly on the o-line, dont always develop the way thier potential may suggest. Im sure coaching is partially to blame, but sometimes if a kid doesnt “have it” you have to just play the cards your delt. The o-line is one of the most demanding positoins physically and mentally. I can assure you these KIDS are playin thier heart out!….GO DAWGS!
By TheDunderChief
October 9, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
That headline made me vomit all over my keyboard. Your editor is clearly a huge tool.
By mtndawg
October 9, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
It’s important to remember that recruits, particularly on the o-line, dont always develop the way thier potential may suggest. Im sure coaching is partially to blame, but sometimes if a kid doesnt “have it” you have to just play the cards your delt. The o-line is one of the most demanding positoins physically and mentally. I can assure you these KIDS are playin thier heart out!….GO DAWGS!
By RAMBLE ON!!!
October 9, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Man, the best defensive line in the country is going to beat these punks into the dirt. With CPJ, you can count of it!!!
Can’t wait till Nov. 29th, Ol Matty is going to be spooning his mommy after that game.
He won’t be able to BLACKOUT the pain and misery from this punishment.
By Mark Bradley
October 9, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
I wrote the headline, I’ll have you know. Can’t blame an editor this time.
By Lane4411
October 9, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
Searles/Garner played for Callaway @ Auburn, both have tremendous respect for the guy.
With Trinton injuried, resulted in wholesale movements. Vance/Anderson are guards now playing on the outside. Chris Davis is not a true center, thus replaced by Jones and moving back to guard and likely will be replaced by Cordy Glenn - true freshman. Boling is a true guard-who started @ RT in the USC game.
The talent is there, will take time to fully development.
Georgia linemen in past years have suffered and excessive number of shoulder injuries.
At he end of last spring everyone was giddy about Tripp. Marcus Howard and Velesco felt he was NFL material. Do not understand the move - will probably see little action @ TE.
By ES
October 9, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
I’m sick of hearing how 2.9 yards a carry is running over somebody!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Bama’s second possession they had second and two from our 5 yardline and on two runs got one yard and was forced to kick field goal!!!The 12 yard TD run come on a 2nd and 9 play after we had held them to 1 yard on the previous play,not to mention prior to that 12 yard run they had 2 out of 3 rushes that went for only one yard .That should have been a passing down and they just fooled us.The same for the 3rd and 4 draw play up the middle for a TD just a good call on what should have been a passing yardage.45 carries 129 yards 2.9 yards a carry.They do have what suppose to be the best line in SEC and I don’t think anyone is going to hold them to 1.5 yards a carry.I’m going to espn play by play and look up the facts.Here they are 23 rushes was 3 yards or less,14 RUSHES WAS 1 YARD OR LESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thats running over some body?????????
By andy
October 9, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Answer: Neil Callaway.
A weird bunch of OLs just quit football, or were made of glass.
Also, #O-lineman in Recruiting Classes: ‘04…3 ‘05…1
By TheItalianDawg
October 9, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Mark, You are absolutely right and I agree with you 100%. however I think the OL has CMR top priority since 2006 and you can judge that by the quality and quantity of linemen recruits. This is the 2nd year for coach searls and to have stability at the OL, I believe you got to have at least 2-3 years of rebuilding a solid OL, after all it is the SEC with dominant defense. but we all very pleased with coach Searls and I think Georgia will have a high quality tough nosed OL in the up coming years. but here is a question that puzzles me why Georgia can’t find the type of DL like Stroud and Seymour, 6.6 320 lb who can stop the run and block the qb sight?
By TheItalianDawg
October 9, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Mark, You are absolutely right and I agree with you 100%. however I think the OL has CMR top priority since 2006 and you can judge that by the quality and quantity of linemen recruits. This is the 2nd year for coach searls and to have stability at the OL, I believe you got to have at least 2-3 years of rebuilding a solid OL, after all it is the SEC with dominant defense. but we all very pleased with coach Searls and I think Georgia will have a high quality tough nosed OL in the up coming years. but here is a question that puzzles me why Georgia can’t find the type of DL like Stroud and Seymour, 6.6 320 lb who can stop the run and block the qb sight?
By BrownEyebeBlue
October 9, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
What does man up mean?
By Mark Bradley
October 9, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
I’m aware that there has been attrition along the offensive line. I’m also aware that a program gets 85 scholarships.
By ES
October 9, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
After relooking at the numbers.It was 15 times Bama ran for 1 yard or less,but 4 of those was when they were running out the clock.As I looked at it closer they had only 5 plays out of 45 go for more than 5 yards!If that is running over somebody I hope we never do it.
By richtfan
October 9, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
a. injuries to kids rcmr did recruit have been devastating. that’s not something that coaches can control
b. when a kid gets injured you have to go back and re-recruit that position 1-3 years after he was recruited. getting a new kid in there takes time, and the development is fairly slow.
c. 6-6 offensive tackles are hard to find.
d. most of what the state of georgia produces is guards and centers. you can’t just fill in a guard for a tackle in the SEC. they’re a different type of body altogether.
By P
October 9, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
Recruiting is a crap shoot.
Some high school kids aren’t mentally or physically prepared enought to play.. it may take them four years to get it.
Injuries are one, We finally got a great line coach in Stacey Searles…
and then, perhaps the state of Georgia has been simply weak on the OL recently. Of course now they have a somewhat more national recruiting base, but not playing out of the southeast for 40 years kind of hampers your national recruiting.
Alabama has produced some dominant OL and DL players recently. Georgia, not quite as many.
By AZ Dawg
October 9, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
I couldn’t agree more. It’s a shame that Stafford, whether he goes this year or next, will have never had the opportunity to play behind a dominant line. The first time it happened right after CMR got here, he promised it would not happen again. It’s haappened every year since. I only see one OT and one OG in this class so far. You would think we would learn from our mistakes. Great football teams are indeed built at the lines on both sides of the ball. That’s been my only complaint against CMR, otherwise he is a great coach, a great motivator and an even better man.
By Munson's Call
October 9, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Nice find Mark. Did you just figure this out? Two words. Two simple words. NEIL CALLOWAY! I am sure eveyone else before me on here as gone in to the detail of his recruiting strategerie. You can knock Richt for not replacing him earlier rather than waiting for him to leave for another job.
By AltamahaDawg
October 9, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
He quit the team huh? I do not approve of that.
By Marvin Mysherona
October 9, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
The first poster got it correct. Too many WR’s! We have enough to stock two Div. 1 teams. I think you should always have 1 or 2 massive OL JUCO’s on the roster to provide depth and experience. To ignore JUCO players is to do so at one’s peril.
By T
October 9, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
They recruit and sign guys who ARE NOT students first.. they flunk out, get in trouble.. whatever.. Its not that they havent signed linemen… they have.. they cant keep them in school.. I think its poor recruiting.
By cmac
October 9, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Mark - Agree w/ most of what you say about the O-line. However, your sentence about Alabama’s O-line two weeks ago doesn’t hold water. Ala only averaged 2.8 yards per rush against UGA (who was without a starting linebacker & both starting D-ends). Before you make a statement, make sure it is relevant!
By ugacpa02
October 9, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
85 scholarships is not enough to parcel out when you lose large numbers of linemen to injury. We probably should have one-two more OL and two less WR’s and that’s essentially it. Out of 85 scholarships that’s very efficient. One JUCO tackle this year would have been nice to have, let’s get 1 in this year’s class and we should be back on track.
By ARdawg
October 9, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
Who on this blog does not believe without the rash of injuries to the lineman Georgia would not now have one of the best OL in the country? Recruiting is a crap shoot. Yes, Mark, they have 85 scholarships available for the program every year. Most years they’re lucky if they have 25 of those open for new recruits.
Case in point, a very good, big, strong agile OL from my hometown was recruited by Richt only later to be turned down because he had no scholarship to offer at the last minute. The kid was heartbroken and went to a Div 2 school.
I’m sure Richt didn’t like it either but his call was to shore up other areas of the team. I myself thought our OL this year was going to be superb and would have been less a few injuries. Richt placed the wrong bet.
By dd
October 9, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t even admit that I’m from Alabama, which thank God I’m not.
By Newd
October 9, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Fact check: Ken Shaclkeford got drafted 2 years ago
By Exley DAWG
October 9, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Poor recruiting, plain and simple. A couple of years ago Richt admitted that they gambled on many OL that had a history of shoulder problems. Havercamp and Seth Watts come to mind as players that would be upperclassmen on this years team. Instead they were quitters.
By Newd
October 9, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Fact check: Ken Shackleford got drafted 2 years ago
By michael
October 9, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Willie Martinez might as well be coaching the O-line. He’s just as bad as they are. STill not sure why Willie Martinez is getting any credit for his always underwhelming schemes and poor half time adjustments
By michael
October 9, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Willie Martinez might as well be coaching the O-line. He’s just as bad as they are. STill not sure why Willie Martinez is getting any credit for his always underwhelming schemes and poor half time adjustments
By Ed
October 9, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
Mark, I too missed the part about Georgia running the ball effectively in the second half, but the fact is they did outscore Alabama 30-10 in the second half, which is too large a spread to be completely insignificant.
That aside, Georgia’s struggles with the O-line have been a puzzle to me. A lot of it - Haverkamp quitting, Sturdivant’s injury - is just bad luck.
By DawginLex
October 9, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
RAMBLE ON,
I’m coming down for the tech game. What section will you be sitting in ? I’ll come find you after beatdown #8 in a row.
Now, go fix my computer nerd.
By Mark Bradley
October 9, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
You’re right. Shackleford was drafted by the Rams in Round 6 in 2007. I’ve corrected it above.
Thanks for pointing it. Sorry to get it wrong.
By Oledawg
October 9, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Mark- Excuse me, but what is this,”I’m aware that there has been attrition along the offensive line.” as a followup to the words “seldom outstanding” in your article title? Attrition? Without a superlative? This is the worst that I can remember. We have lost track of who, how and where in this pedestrian use of “attrition”. How about an article sometime with an “X” on the offensive lineup positions prior to the season and arrows to show moves to illustrate that we are plugging holes as fast as they appear. Problem is, the holes are getting ahead of our expectations and no one is blaming hard luck for a damn thing. The team has been snakebit and we are blaming coaches and players who are doing a great job under the circumstances trying to plug the holes that have statistically overwhelmed the line. Folks, things have changed PERMANENTLY since the start of the season. Along with many of you , I have waited for the preseason team to “gel”. That ain’t going to happen now! These dogs are fighting harder than ever and this weekend won’t be any different. Tenn will get after our a$$ so that they don’t go into the toilet. This will be their best game of the year against a line that hasn’t had people playing side-by-side to any extent such that they know what each will do once the ball is snapped. Sure, we will be “OK” 85% of the time due to good practices, but that understated “gelling” won’t take care of the 15% that results in sackings and busted plays. Tenn is wounded and dangerous as hell.
Every game is different for the rest of the year than what we imagined at the start. When the line can’t open holes for our running game, we shouldn’t expect that our passing game will do much better. This weekend may be more grind than anyone expects. Until this line has played together for several games without further injury we should not expect miracles. We do expect hard and frequent body slams and hard yardage. Bulldog style football as in the days of Fullbacks and “Three yards and a cloud of dust” may be the watchwords.
We have been injury-snakebit for the predicament the line is in and criticizing coaches and players don’t get it done. Getting into the habit of castigating those working at a high energy level will end up costing people their jobs. In fact, if you are not a positive fan or alum during this hiatus, I don’t think you should be spreading the negativity that we already are incurring such that it grows into a cancerous cascade affecting people and their jobs. We leave that up to schools like FU. UGA is responsible to the alums for the athletic personnel coaching the team and player performance on that team. Loose opinions concerning job performances are not in the public pervue and we should shut up.
UgaVII- Roust your plug-ugly butt up and start those calisthenics. We need you to be the ugliest you can be this weekend. Maybe we can get a writer or two down on the field for you to chase during warmups. Maybe Mark will oblige us. Til’ then, WOOF! WOOF! SIC’EM!!
By T-Bob
October 9, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
In my humble opinion, I think UGA recruits too many “athletes” evry year and doesn’t get enough quality big men for either line. I agree with an earlier blog, where are the Seymour’s and Stroud’s? There is no pass rush to speak of this year. How many sacks do they have, 4 or 5 total? And, yes, there have been injuries but every team has injuries.
By ssi dawg
October 9, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Mark:
“although he came close in 2002 and last season”
That was a joke, right? Sure made me laugh.
By FL Dawg
October 9, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
The D line is good, they simply missing the speed on the outside to put consistent pressure on the qb. We have some young guys that will develop. Our D line is very good up the middle. As for the Bama game, the dawgs did not come out ready to play. The O did not keep the ball long enough for coaches to make changes to the D while on the sideline.
It takes time to produce good lines year in and year out. Richt has had to deal with(in my opinion) above normal injury rates on the O line. The O line recruits need to come in and stay 4 or 5 years depending on redshirt. Coach Searels will coach up whoever he has and make them better. The dawgs just need players to stay healthy. We have had two good classes of O line and need to continue to recruit them.
By Austin
October 9, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
Check the recruiting classes, we have recruited linemen, but they didn’t stay. Academics, transfering, etc. lowered our # of O-linemen. `
By Ron Roberts
October 9, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Wow… a GT alum wants to claim that Georgia’s not an elite program…
Uh, GT ALUM, have you noticed how YOUR program’s been squashed LIKE A BUG by this “not elite” program for the entire CURRENT DECADE????
I mean, really; who has all this free time to log on (mulitple times, no less) to make an in sipid comment about your rival’s football team when your own program hasn’t lived up to ANYbody’s hype since, what, 1990?
Mark Bradley…. great column. Worth reading, and pondering. Seems we focus a bit much on the skill guys and not enough on line depth. Alabama showed (and LSU has, in recent years, too) that marginal skill players can win titles with outstanding blockers.
By BigNCDAWG
October 9, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
It is hard to be productive when you are missing your best offensive and defensive lineman and best fullback. Searls is a great coach and next year it will be vastly better.
By jda
October 9, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
I think this is a fair and appropriate concern. CMR and staff are fine coaches and better people. But…. there is a argument to be made that his o-lines and teams lack toughness and discipline. The discipline shows up in the excessive penalties and the # of drops by receivers. There appears to be a very relaxed approch to these issues. The lack of toughness on the o-line is apparent. Blocking and tackling are two areas that are largely related to intensity, toughness and desire. On the offensive side that desire does not seem as urgent and all-consuming as it needs to be. The ? is why. Is it possible that CMR is just too nice to create that type of intense atmosphere?
By charliedawg
October 9, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Funny about the too many WR’s comment, next year UGA will only 5 players on scholarship. I think JB needs to do his homework.
Every team has injuries…..I’d like to see Bama without their best O lineman and D lineman and see where they would be, and their best LB for 3/4 of the game. Not to say they would have kicked our butts again, but intriguing nonetheless.
Mark, it’s nice to see that you actually blog on your blog unlike some others on the ajc payroll.
By Mark Bradley
October 9, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Ron.
By dallas dawg
October 9, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this
WHAT ABOUT THIS MASSIE KID AT HARGRAVE MILITARY ???
By Decatur Bred
October 9, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
If you look at the YOUNG guys that we have on this team right now and the guys we have in the class of 2009, it’s simply a matter of time before this line is a great. When you recruit OL that are top 10 and even top 5 rated players NATIONALLY, it’s only a matter of time. Of course we have to shuffle this year, I mean damn aren’t the reasons obvious? Of course a player if going to be better as a junior than he was a TRUE FRESHMAN, give these young guys a chance to develop and we will be fine. To the person JB that said “way too many wide receivers”, you simply have no clue as to what you’re talking about.
By Eric C.
October 9, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Mark, ES is right…mistakes, penalties, soft pass defense on the Dawgs part were all just as responsible for Alabama’s win at Athens.
By Decatur Bred
October 9, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Some of these comments are really stupid. I hate to say that but they really are. People have to be realistic. You can’t expect us to have 1st round draft pick type linemen every single season. For anyone to say that we have “too many skill players” that is just simply a ignorant comment. When you are dealing with a college program, players only have 4 years to play. From time to time, some positions won’t be as strong as others. It will happen to every program. PEOPLE IT HAPPENS. Very very very very few programs in the nation recruit better that Coach Richt and his staff. People that say we don’t recruit linemen are just simply not in the know. Go to the scouting sites across and web and look at the linemen that we recruit on both sides of the ball. This just so happens to be a year where we are young in key areas. I guess you become a victim of your own success and people start to develop unrealistic expectations. This is nonsense.
By Decatur Bred
October 9, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
Chris Burnette
3 OG by Rivals 8 OG by Scout 3 OG by ESPNAustin Long
10 OT by Scout 11 OT by Rivals 6 OT by EspnA.J. Harmon
2 OG by Rivals 10 OT by Scout 3 OG by ESPNCordy Glenn
15 OT by Rivals 10 OT by ScoutBen Jones
7 C by Rivals 5 C by Scout 2 C by ESPNJustin Anderson
7 OG by Rivals 21 OG by Scout 6 OT by ESPNChris Little
11 OG by Rivals 12 OT by Scout 15 OT by ESPNTrinton Sturdivant Freshman All-American out for the season All SEC Freshman Team
Clint Boling All SEC Freshman Team
Mind you, these are NATIONAL rankings. Also if anyone wants to say that these rankings don’t mean anything, look at the current star players in the college game and young stars that are early in their NFL careers, then go back and look at their high school profiles. You will see that these scouts do get it right most of the time. LOL, and people continue to say that we need to focus more on linemen and we recruit “too many skill players”.
By Decatur Bred
October 9, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
I have one more thing that I would like to say to these irrational people. Georgia did not have ONE offensive lineman on the roster come into this season with more than one year of experience.
By JDC
October 9, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
FUED, and GT ‘93 boy, learn how to use email. The boys will be fine as long as they take care of business Saturday.
By Lowcountry Dawg
October 9, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
Injuries and attrition have really hurt our o-line. I cannot remember their names, but about 3 yrs ago, we lost 2 quality lineman in the same year-one had a shoulder injury and I forgot what the other issue was. If we had Sturdivant, we would have had a decent line to start-not to mention the loss Sutherland for the first 5 games. If our o-line continues to improve-and now with Sutherland back-I think we can win the rest of our games. It will be very interesting to have a Bama rematch in the SEC title game. By that time, or o-line with Sutherland should be clicking.
By ManDawg
October 10, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
Mark, you hit the nail on the head with recruiting being a big problem. Check out Phil Steele’s 2008 All-American team:
Duke Robinson- Oklahoma SR 1st team Anthony Parker - UT SR 2nd team Sergio Render- VA Tech 4th team
All three went to Georgia high schools. Now go find three All-American defensive linemen that Rodney Garner has missed on in the past ten years! I doubt you can.
By rick
October 10, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
Remember that the great offensive line at UA was recruited by Shula. The Great Nick Saban is reaping some of the rewards.
By Mark Bradley
October 13, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
In the interest of fairness, I should note that Clint Boling was named SEC lineman of the week for his work against Tennessee. And that Vince Vance is also out for the season now, which you know already.